“We will serve you relentlessly, persistently, consistently” – Education Minister tells teachers

…as Ministry launches Teachers’ Welfare and Benefits Programme

In the wake of protest action by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), the Irfaan Ali-led Government is committed to serving the teachers of this nation. This assurance was given by Education Minister Priya Manickchand as she delivered the feature address at Wednesday’s launch of the Teachers’ Welfare and Benefits Programme at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

“In the face of recent activities, we never stopped. We will relentlessly serve you; we will persistently serve you; we will consistently serve you. We know how valuable good teachers are; we know how much more we can do as a system to make sure our not-so-good teachers get better; and we know that the system cannot have space for persons who have no intention of accessing any training to get better,” said Manickchand in her remarks.
The Education Ministry has teamed up with over 150 local businesses to provide varying benefits to teachers and their families across the 10 administrative regions. This initiative will see teachers benefiting from discounted services across a wide range of sectors, including but not limited to electronics, telecommunications, retail goods, air transportation, household furniture and appliances, optical care, office supplies, and garments.

Some of the companies on board are Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT), E-Networks, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, GTM Group of Companies, DIGICEL, Giftland Office Max, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Radio Shack, Ashley Furniture, Gafson Industries Limited, and Lucky Dollar. And many other companies have signalled their interest in getting on board.
According to the Minister, the Government will support the professional development of teachers. “You have my promise on that. We will hold your hand through any obstacle you believe you have in the classroom. We will try to fix very strategically and timely the resource deficit.”

Sector get better
She further assured that the Ministry would work with any stakeholder who wants to see the education sector get better.

Minister Manickchand, however, made it clear: “We will not let petulance, personal interest, political intervention stop us from doing what we have to do.”
She added that the role of the Education Ministry is too important, since children’s lives, their future, and the nation depends on the Ministry.
Minister Manickchand rubbished claims that the launch of the programme was in response to the GTU’s strike action.
“This is a genuine interest in checking to see what we can do for you [teachers], so that you can do your work when you get into the classrooms. And you will see much, much more of that.”

And with the programme already off to a great start, the Minister pointed out that she can only see it growing and getting even better.
“We are at a good place in this country to take this profession forward,” she posited.

Critical role in development
Meanwhile, Education Specialist and former Chief Education Officer (CEO) Dr Olato Sam said teachers play a critical role in the development of this country. As such, he noted that it is expected that they would go about their responsibilities with a level of dedication and commitment to ensure the delivery of the highest quality of education.

Against this backdrop, he noted that the well-being of teachers plays a critical role in ensuring this. With the Ministry cognisant of this, he said, it has embraced the concept that the well-being of teachers needs attention, and thus this programme was devised.
Dr Sam provided an overview of the programme, in particular the health insurance package. He explained that the comprehensive healthcare package “is unprecedented”, as there is nothing like it within the Caribbean region.
“This is an opportunity for teachers and their families to benefit…all of their dependents up to the age of 21. So, their spouses and children can be part,” he said, adding that it is critically important that the health of teachers is valued.

Also included in the Teachers’ Welfare and Benefits Programme is a revolving mortgage fund. With this, teachers who are first-time homeowners can access loans from $2 and $12 million towards their mortgage. But the Education Ministry has gone even further.
It has started a Teachers’ Benevolent Fund. Through this fund, the Ministry will provide financial support to teachers in specified hardship situations.
“Over time, some of our teachers have experienced some truly tragic circumstances and have had few options at their disposal to turn to for assistance. We are remedying that,” said Dr. Sam.
The Teachers’ Benevolent Fund is a public-private partnership, which, according to Dr. Sam, will provide financial support when teachers are confronted with hardship conditions.

Resuscitating National Teachers’ Award
Moreover, Dr Sam announced that, come next year, the Education Ministry will be resuscitating the National Teachers’ Award Programme aimed at “rewarding teachers for excellence in service.”
The former Chief Education Officer disclosed that the first annual teachers’ conference will commence in July 2022, and will provide various developmental opportunities; and will promote networking, professionalism, and a community of teachers within Guyana’s education system.

“This will be an opportunity for teachers to come together to build a strong network. To benefit from lectures and presentations from local and international best practices in the profession, and experience a wide range of development initiatives and ultimately advance the teaching service.”

Wednesday’s launch
Scores of teachers from across the country attended Wednesday’s launch, which saw businesses exhibiting their products. Four lucky teachers were gifted with mobile phones by GTT, while teachers with more than 20 years of service were given a free pair of footwear, compliments of Bhena’s Footwear.
The Education Ministry said the Teachers’ Welfare and Benefits Programme is open to all teachers from across the 10 administrative regions. Teachers are being asked to sign up for the programme through their respective departments of education and schools.
They are being asked to submit the required information and a photograph to their headteachers, who will then forward it to the regional education department. The department will then forward the information to the Education Ministry for the benefit cards to be prepared.
The launching ceremony also saw teachers signing up for their benefit cards. Once the teachers show these cards to the various businesses, they will get the various benefits. (G1)